Launch Of Missing Children And Adults' Strategy

07 December 2011

Government launch new stategy to protect and support missing people and their families

This week, charity Missing People has welcomed
the launch of the Government’s Missing Children and Adults’ Strategy. This is a landmark event for the protection
of the estimated 250,000 people who go missing each year in the UK, as well as
the families they leave behind.

James Brokenshire MP,Parliamentary Under Secretary
of State for Crime and Security, launched the strategy at the charity's Central
Office in London. He was joined by families of missing people including Peter
Lawrence, father of missing chef Claudia Lawrence, and Rachel Elias, sister of
missing Richard Edwards from the band Manic Street Preachers.

It is hoped that the new strategy will reduce the number
of people who go missing and protect the missing whilst they are away.
It will also aim to reflect the approach used for victims of crime, giving the
families of missing people access to support.

Martin Houghton-Brown, Chief Executive of Missing People
said, “Historically, if your house was burgled you would automatically get
offers of support, but if your child went missing you may have got nothing.
This strategy will change that.

“Every police force and government agency must now see
missing children as a child protection issue and vulnerable missing adults
as a safeguarding issue. The Home Office is to be commended, now local
practitioners must follow suit.”

Going forward, the police will be required to signpost
families of missing people to any help available. This will include the vital lifeline
that Missing People provides 24 hours a day, as well as other services such as family
counselling. It will also include other specialist agencies, such as CEOP for
online protection of missing children and PACT on parental abduction.

The
launch follows 12 months of campaigning by Missing People. Martin
Houghton-Brown concludes, “We are delighted that this launch begins a new way
of looking at the needs and rights of missing people across the UK.”

Your continual support of Missing People allows the team to
work alongside the government and make a real difference to the lives of many. To date, Missing People has received over £1.2 Million from players of
the Postcode Lottery. This is a real lifeline to the team and to the hundreds of
missing people and families across the country.

Players must be 16 years or over. Only available to play with postcodes in England, Scotland and Wales. Not available in NI. Conditions apply. See Terms & Conditions. Ticket price £2 with 5 draws each month and minimum £10 payable in advance. For a full list of prizes visit Prizes.